Combating Human Trafficking

The Salvation Army firmly believes that the abuse and exploitation of human beings through any form of human trafficking is an offense against humankind and against God. This belief, combined with our mission to meet human needs in His name without discrimination, motivates us to work vigilantly for the prevention of human trafficking and for the restoration of survivors.

The Salvation Army of Central Maryland partners with other organizations to ensure victims of human trafficking have a place to stay and access to resources to provide a successful second chance.To that end, we hope that the following link highlighting The Salvation Army’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking will encourage and inspire you to join with us in working to see that all people are treated with dignity and given the opportunity to lead self-determined lives:

History of Salvation Army in Combating Human Trafficking

The Salvation Army’s deep commitment to the modern-day fight against human trafficking emerges from both its mission – to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination – and its early history.

The Salvation Army’s founders’ ministry in London’s east side eventually evolved into a battle to protect women and children from the horrors of sex trafficking. Upon learning of the desperate needs of women and children at risk of, or already caught up in, organized commercial sexual exploitation,

The Salvation Army responded by opening homes for women and girls and developing intensive “Rescue Work.” Within 30 years, Salvation Army rescue homes grew from one to 117.

The Salvation Army’s efforts to help women and girls in prostitution did not stop there. In one of the most fascinating chapters of its history, The Salvation Army participated in the planning and execution of an undercover investigation into the trafficking of young girls for prostitution – a detailed account of which was published in July 1885 by the Pall Mall Gazette in a series of articles that created enough fervor to foment public opinion in support of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, a measure which when passed in August 1885 raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 (although reformers sought 18). The Salvation Army’s advocacy efforts were a major catalyst in the bill’s passage. Now, more than a century later, The Salvation Army in the United States and abroad is part of a reviving movement for the abolition of sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation.